Percy Harvin’s return to the Gators for the Miami game will certainly be welcomed and should automatically jumpstart an offense lacking in timing against Hawaii.
Percy’s presence would improve any offense. After all, he is the player cited by his coach as maybe America’s strongest Heisman Trophy prospect and has even been applauded by Tim Tebow himself as someone who deserves recognition and consideration.
Few Gators have ever matched the prowess of the talented running back/receiver who became the first player in school history to gain 100 yards rushing and receiving in the Capital One Bowl, running for a career-high 165 yards. Harvin, remember, set a Capital One Bowl record for rushing average (12.7 yards per carry) and caught nine passes for 77 yards.
By all reports, Harvin has recovered from off-season surgery on his heel, as demonstrated by his stellar practice performance on Tuesday. When Urban Meyer said Wednesday that Harvin’s performance fell off a little and he was “gimping around” in practice, some fans began worrying.
Not to worry, Gator fans, Percy will be fine. I expect him to come out blazing against the Hurricanes and get plenty of touches, therefore plenty of yards. Harvin is 100 percent healthy and ready to go.
Look up the word “playmaker” in the coach’s dictionary and you’ll not only see a picture of Percy Harvin, but in my book you’d find a bronze statue as well. He is one of the most exciting college players I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Offensive Coordinator Dan Mullen remarked last season in watching him against Kentucky that Percy reminded him of “a sports car” the way he could shift into a variety of speeds.
Even beyond his speed and explosiveness is the acrobatic antics of Percy. Said someone who sees him in practice on a regular basis, “He can stick it and cut, or run and adjust his body in mid-air.” He likened Harvin to a gymnast in pads.
In addition to Harvin’s remarkable ability as a runner and a receiver, what impresses me the most is the manner in which he goes after the thrown football as if it belongs to him personally – as if it’s his territorial imperative.
I’ll never forget the play when Harvin went up and over the top of a Tennessee player last season, grasping the football on the other side of the Vol defender’s body and holding on to it as he was tackled.
We’ve almost come to expect those kind of things out of Percy Harvin. Which is why I expect no less out of him against the ‘Canes.
What They’re Asking About Urban
In the past few days I’ve been answering a lot of questions about Urban Meyer because there’s a natural curiosity about the man in the college football world.
This week marks the release of my book “Urban’s Way,” the official authorized biography of Florida’s successful coach with a low-but-intriguing profile. As a result, St. Martins Press booked numerous interviews for me.
What I discovered was that talk radio show hosts around the Southeast have a variety of inquiries.
People want to know what makes Meyer tick, why he has been so successful, how his Plan to Win works, how he wound up coming to Florida, how long he might stay, etc. And they can’t quite put their finger on those answers.
Paul Finebaum of the Paul Finebaum Network and WERC Birmingham wondered if it was true Meyer remained aloof from fans, boosters and media. And if so, why?
I explained that during football season Urban only has time for football and family – and not all that much for family. He doesn’t do many talk radio shows or any personal appearances and, as a result, some people take affront at that. And some talk show hosts hold it against him.
“Is there anything Urban Meyer doesn’t do well?” asked the hosts of WJOX in Birmingham.
And I couldn’t think of anything, but also explained I’d never seen Meyer play golf. But I thought it was an excellent question which I couldn’t answer very well.
Former Magic GM Pat Williams, a successful promoter and author, had a series of questions about Urban’s moves from school-to-school and asked about the details of each. Pat was very pleased when I told him I had seen a copy of his motivational book on Urban’s office desk at his lake home. “You made my day,” said Williams.
In Pensacola they wondered if Meyer had the wraps on Tim Tebow or if he just didn’t play all that well. I advised him to wait and see.
Several said they felt the jury was out on Meyer and whether in his fourth season he would be successful winning with his own material.
Above all, however, it was evident from the tone of the questions that Urban Meyer has cut a big swath through the SEC, gaining respect. Which tells me that Urban’s Way is the right way for Florida Football.
An Unrecognizable Offense
Hate to see the Ol’ Ball Coach hanging by his toes in Columbia, but honestly, the Gamecock offense isn’t even a remote facsimile of anything I’ve ever seen Steve Spurrier run before. He appears to have gone conservative. Playing for the field goal is the antithesis of OBC’s philosophy. Perhaps the telltale sign may have been when South Carolina, trailing in the game, punted it away with just over three minutes to play. There’s not much Gun in that scheme, or for that matter, certainly no Fun.
Which Storm Is Coming Our Way?
At first, when I saw that Storm Hanna was headed our way, I thought maybe NBC was sending one of its sports news anchors to cover the game. Then I realized it was Storm Hanna, and not Hannah Storm. Thankfully she’s not coming (the storm, not the person). And by the way, Hannah is back in sports, doing the morning Sports Center for ESPN.
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